6/8 Monday Full Moon
Alright. Mr. Ekoda is Fuuka's homeroom teacher right? Today, I need to know if she is alright.
Minako, Yukari and Junpei went to the Faculty Lounge during lunch to find Ekoda...to find Mitsuru and another student already talking to him about Fuuka.
“No!” the student said. “I'd never thought it would turn out like this...Fuuka...”
Yukari recognized the girl and Mitsuru asked what was going on, but Mr. Ekoda stepped in, saying that it wasn't an interrogation and Natsuki didn't have to say anything.
“You wouldn't want to give her the wrong idea,” he said.
...shifty.
“Fuuka...she...she always looked so frazzled whenever I gave her a hard time,” Natsuki told. “And then, I realized...she's an honor student but she's just the same as us. I knew exactly what buttons to push.”
...if there is one thing I do not like, it's bullying.
“We were just messing around with her that day too! May 29th. We took Fuuka to the gym...and locked the door from the outside.”
“What!? You locked her in?!” Junpei asked.
“That night, Maki returned to school alone. She was afraid we'd get in trouble if Fuuka committed suicide. But she never came back...and the next morning...”
“She was found lying on the ground by the gate.” Yukari finished.
“I went to the gym to get Fuuka out, but the door was still locked. So I opened it and went inside but she wasn't there. We all freaked out. Starting that night, we went out looking for her. But every night, another one of us went missing...and they each ended up like Maki!”
...ah. Then...Fuuka still is...
“I see.” Mitsuru said. “By the way, Mr. Ekoda...all this time you've attributed Yamagishi's absences to 'illness,' but in reality she was missing. You must have been aware of that. What was your intention?”
“I was thinking of the students, of course.” Mr. Ekoda responded. “You children may not understand, but we have to consider the future of everyone affected.”
“You mean, you chose not to report this to the police for the 'good of the class.'”
“It- it was in her best interest.”
LEAVING HER IN DANGER IS IN HER BEST INTEREST?!
“I wouldn't want her records to be stained by something like this. Her parents agree!”
What parents would want their daughter to be kept missing?! Unless you didn't tell them the full story...
“So to protect your career, you ignored your responsibility as a teacher...how despicable!” Mitsuru said with menace in her eyes. Ekoda was flustered.
...whatever you are going to do to him, make it good.
Mitsuru then turned to Natsuki. “About your friends, did you notice anything unusual before the incidents? Anything at all.”
“They all heard a voice, a creepy voice, right before each of them went missing. They said it was calling their name.”
The group realized what they were against now.
...I knew it.
“Oh man.” Junpei said.
“Senpai, do you think it could be-” Yukari started.
“It's them, no doubt about it.” Mitsuru finished the sentence. “Until now, there was no way of knowing how or why some people are conscious during the Dark Hour but, it's the voice; it draws them in. It's not a random phenomenon. This whole thing has made me realize, they are clearly targeting humans. Shadows are the enemy of mankind.”
...and there doesn't seem to be any sort of action that we can take against it.
Mitsuru told Natsuki to stay at their dorm tonight and to inform them if she hears the voice and to not leave the room.
“Amano. Iori and Takeba, too. We'll meet after school in the Student Council Room to discuss tonight's operation.”
“T-tonight!?”
“We are going to rescue Yamagishi.”
Excellent.
“Alright. Everyone is here. Let's get this started.” Minako nodded to her teammates.
“Tonight, we will infiltrate the campus. Our objective is to rescue Fuuka Yamagishi.”
Junpei explained that he didn't get why and Yukari didn't understand the time Mitsuru explained that Fuuka is in Tartarus.
“Then ever since Fuuka got locked in the gym, she's been stuck in there?” Yukari asked.
“That's correct.”
“But that was ten days ago! That means...” Junpei trailed off.
Akihiko explained his theory that Tartarus only appears during one hour and said that Fuuka may only be experencing 10 hours since her disappearence.
“Wow! You think so? But the Dark Hour is pretty brutal. We can barely last an hour.”
We are getting so much better at that though.
“How is she going to last 10!?”
“That's true.” Yukari pointed out. “And even if she is still alive, we might not be able to get to her...”
“Are you just gonna let her die then!?” Akihiko said. “I have an idea. Let's try to enter Tartarus excatly the way Fuuka did. We go to the gym and wait for midnight, that's the quickest way.”
“Is that really gonna work?” Yukari asked.
“Honestly, I have my reservations.” Mitsuru said. “If something goes wrong, you could all get lost in Tartarus too. But...”
“I won't stand by and do nothing if there is a chance we might save her. I'd never forgive myself.”
...I have to agree with that.
“If you guys don't want to go then I'll go by myself.”
Now that's kinda reckless. Besides, I go with you.
“Alright. We are aware of the risks but we can't just leave her there.” Mitsuru said.
“I agree. And we won't know until we try.” Yukari added.
Junpei grinned wide. “Cool, we get to sneak into the school! Heheh...in that case, I know just what to do.”
Of course you would.
“This is a bit worrisome.” Mitsuru told the group that evening in the command room. “I can't get ahold of the chairman.”
“Meaning no nice entry, right?” Minako asked.
“Correct.” Mitsuru replied. “Without the Chairman's help, I'm not sure how we can make it into the school.”
“No need to worry. I've got it all set to go.” Junpei responded.
“Set to go? An explosive?”
...I don't he could...
Mitsuru chuckled. “Alright, I'll let you handle this.”
Akihiko and Mitsuru moved out, Yukari turned and asked Junpei if it was an explosive.
“Nah...All I did was unlock a door.”
Junpei led the group to the unlocked door. “See? We got in no problem. Man, I'm a genius!”
“Is that really something to brag about?” Yukari asked.
“So you unlocked it earlier...Tres bien!” Mitsuru complemented.
“Oui. No time for complements. Let's go.” Akihiko responded..
Minako smiled at Junpei as the two seniors went ahead. “Seriously, great job.”
“Tray Ben? What is that, French?” Junpei said. “Lousy seniors and their lousy French.”
The group headed for Minako's classroom, the dark interior illuminated by the moonlight.
“Can we turn on the lights?” Yukari asked.
“Aww, you scared?” Junpei teased.
“No! Stupei.”
“Stop callin' me that!”
“Quiet.” Akihiko said to the bickering juniors. “It's better if we leave them off. They cut the power at night anyway.”
“I don't like sneaking around.” Yukari explained.
“First, we have to find the key to the gym. We'll split up into two groups and meet up in the main hallway on the first floor. Understood?”
Junpei smiled and began wondering if there were any test questions in the faculty office. However, this was not taken well by Mitsuru who decided to take Junpei with her to the janitor's room.
“Amano, head to the faculty office. I leave it to you who to take with you.”
...still sore against Yukari so...
“I'll go with Akihiko.”
“Very well. Then Takeba will accompany us to the janitor's room. We'll meet back up in the main hallway.”
When the two reached the main hallway, Akihiko heard someone get close. The two ducked behind a pillar as they heard footsteps approach. A flashlight was shone in their direction but...eventually the footsteps faded away.
“Whew...just a security guard.”
Hmm...how would he take to scares like this?
“Are you freaked out?”
“What you thought it might have been a ghost?”
No.
“Haha, I'm not scared of anything I can't see. In fact, it reminds me of when I was a kid and we used to hang out in haunted houses to show how tough we were.” Akihiko took a quick glance around. “Alright he's gone. Let's go.”
The two made it the the faculty office without any incident. “Alright, I'll take this end and you take that one.” Minako said. They began to search the various drawers for keys.
“Here, I found it! The gym storage key!”
“Senpai, that's not it.”
“Huh!? What it was just the regular gym key? I-I see.”
“Let's just keep looking. Happens to all of us.” Minako nodded and they continued their hunt. Eventually, she noticed the gym key was nearby Akihiko's hand...and he didn't seem to notice it.
“No good. It's not here. Must be in the janitor's room, where Mitsuru and the others went. What're you waiting for? Let's go.”
Minako sighed and picked up the key. “Found it. Let's go.”
“Oh so you had it. Well why didn't you just say so?”
Minako sighed once more. “Well, let's just go and find the group.”
“They said to meet up at the main hallway right? We should get going.”
The others were already there and waiting for the key.
“We'll divide into teams again.” Mitsuru commanded. “Three of you will enter Tartarus, and one of you will remain outside with me. Once the Dark Hour has begun, I'll determine Yamagishi's position.”
“I'll go.” Akihiko said.
Not surprised on that one.
“I think I should go. I am the field leader after all.” Minako added.
“Um then, I'll be the third-” Yukari started but..
“Wait a second!” Junpei interrupted. “Remember how I accidentally screwed up on the monorail? Gimme a chance to make up for that!”
“Oh come on! It's not always about YOU!”
“My vote's for Junpei.” Minako said.
“Huh?”
“Alright Junpei, we'll give you another shot.” Akihiko said.
“Sweet! Thanks!”
“Seriously!?” Yukari said incredulously.
“What's wrong Yukari?” Akihiko asked. “You don't want to stay behind with Mitsuru?”
“Um, n-no it's fine.”
...hmm.
“It's almost time.” Mitsuru said.
“Let's go!” Akihiko and Minako replied.
“Guuuuuh.” Minako awoke with a headache and...
Wait shouldn't I be able to hear Mitsuru? And...where's Junpei and Akihiko!?
“Are you awake?”
“GAH!” Minako turned in surprise to find Pharos nearby.
“This is the first time we've spoken outside of your room.”
“Wh-where are the others?”
Please...on the off chance you know...
“Don't worry. You'll see them soon.”
...that was not reassuring.
“But we don't have much time to talk. Tonight, there is more than one ordeal you must face. You should hurry...she's waiting for you.”
Fuuka's alive!
“You guys will need her. Okay then. I hope we can speak again.”
And Pharos vanished.
It'll be soon won't it.
Minako did her best to run past the Shadows.
I don't like being separated from Mitsuru. I can't tell the weaknesses at all! Gah! Avoid battles, avoid battles!
She managed to catch snippets from Mitsuru about Akihiko not being on this floor...and she also heard a soothing voice ask who she was.
The next floor was also traversed quickly. Once again, she heard snippets from Mitsuru and pleas of help from someone...
And finally, she met up with Junpei and Akihiko!
“Oh god. You don't know how relieved I am to find you two.” Minako said.
“I don't think we should enter Tartarus this way again.” Akihiko said.
“Oh yeah! Did you hear a voice while you were in here?” Junpei asked.
“Yeah. Kinda nice and-”
“Who is this? Are you human?” The voice sounded.
“That's it! That's the voice!” And the group turned to find a pale-looking girl behind them.
“Are you Fuuka Yamagishi?” Akihiko asked.
“Y-yes!”
“Wow! You're alive! That's awesome!” Junpei said.
“Yes indeed. We were worried about you.” Minako smiled at Fuuka.
“Come with us.” Akihiko said.
“Thank you so much...I...”
“Looks like we made the right decision. I'll see if I can't contact Mitsuru.”
“Where are we? I was at school and then...”
“Well, it's a long story. I'll explain it after we get out of here.” Junpei said.
Akihiko tried to contact Mitsuru but it was a no go. Junpei however, busied himself with looking after Fuuka making sure she was okay. Fuuka said she was okay as she has been avoid the Shadows, as she can kinda sense where they are.
“She has the same power as Mitsuru. Maybe even stronger since Mitsuru's Persona is battle-oriented.” Akihiko noted.
“Persona?” Fuuka asked.
“Hang on to this.” Akihiko gave her an Evoker to her shock. “Think of it as a lucky charm, it's not really a gun.”
“Um...okay.”
“Alright, let's get outta here!”
Fuuka's taking this pretty much in stride. Kinda admirable. The whole strange people with guns thing but then again, she has been avoiding Shadows all this time.
“Whoa, check out the moon!” Junpei said, looking out the window. “I've never seen it so bright.”
“Some research indicates that Shadows are affected by the phases of the moon.” Akihiko repiled.
“Why am I not surprised at that.” Minako said.
“Hey, wasn't it a full moon the night we went to the monorail?” Junpei asked.
“Was it?” Akihiko asked back.
“It was. Trust me.” Minako said.
“Then did you see the moon on the night the dorm was attacked, back in April?”
“Um...lets see...ah yes! Mitsuru did mention it that night.”
“Today is the 8th. The monorail incident happened last month around the same time and the assault on the dorm was a month before that! They were all during a full moon!” Akihiko reasoned.
Just like Pharos has been warning me.
“Mitsuru are you there!?” Akihiko asked her franticly. Minako was able to catch something about Shadows and being careful before he lost contact with her.
“What is this thing?” Fuuka said. “It's much bigger than the others and it's attacking someone.”
Agh. Yukari and Mitsuru are in trouble!
“What's going on!?” Junpei asked.
“It's one of THEM! If my guess is right, they come every full moon! We have to hurry!” Akihiko, Minako and Fuuka ran off, leaving Junpei to hurriedly catch up with them.
Portal , Portal, Portal, Portal AHA!
The group found their way to the enterence, finding Mitsuru and Yukari drained from their fight with the Shadows.
Two of them, a portly womanlike one and a kingly one. Wait...the last one was the Priestess so...this must be the Empress and the Emperor.
“Akihiko-senpai! We gotta distract those Shadows somehow!” Junpei said.
“I know just how to do it...” He said. “Hey! If it's a fight you want, we'll give it to you!”
...naturally.
“Be careful. Normal attacks won't work on these Shadows.” Mitsuru cautioned.
Just then...Natsuki entered in a daze. “F-Fuuka...” she said.
“Why are you here!?” Mitsuru questioned.
“Moriyama-san!?” Fuuka said in surprise. “Please get out of here! It's dangerous!”
“I...I wanted to tell you... I'm sorry...” Natsuki said monotonously.
The Emperor and Empress headed towards Natsuki ready to attack. Fuuka stood in-between the girl and the Shadows, reaching for the Evoker.
And...
She summoned a Persona!
“I can see...I...I can sense these monsters weaknesses somehow!”
“Just as I thought.” Akihiko said. “Mitsuru, let her take your place.” He, Minako and Junpei faced the Shadows. “We'll take care of this.”
“Fuuka!” Minako shouted. “Inform me what the Emperor is weak to!”
“Okay, just give me some time.”
Welp. No time like the present to give an attack!
“Jack Frost!” Minako invoked, using Bufu on the Emperor...and knocking it down! Minako attacked it again for more damage. Junpei slashed at it...to no effect.
“It has multiple weaknesses. All magic skills will work on it.” Fuuka informed. “I-I didn't know I had this kind of power.” Akihiko pulled Zio against it.
The Empress used Magaru against the team, knocking Junpei off his feet...and attacked Minako. The Emperor took the time to dizzy Junpei.
“Great. Fuuka, tell me what the Empress is weak to.” Minako used Re Patra on Junpei, preping him for the attack.
“Sweet!” He used to opportunity to pull two Agi's on the Emperor and Akihiko followed with a Zio.
“It has mulitple weaknesses. Any physical skill will work on the Empress.” Fuuka informed the group.
However, the Emperor took the opportunity to do swap it's weakness. “Okay. Fuuka, tell me what's up with him now.” She attacked the Empress and used Bufu on the Emperor...to no effect. Junpei attacked the Empress.
“It seems like the Emperor is weak to Fire!”
Right after Junpei uses his turn. Minako sighed. Right after Akihiko attacked, the Empress switched her weakness as well.
“Well...I am a Wild Card...but...eh.” Minako attacked the switched Empress, to no effect.
Junpei however, used his Agi to take down the Emperor. “Alright!”
“One down, one to go!” Minako noted. Junpei's fire had no effect on the Empress, but Akihiko's Zio worked!
“I've been waiting for this!” Minako nodded and the trio attacked the Shadow, nearly taking her out.
“Electricty seems to work on it!” Fuuka informed...a bit late.
Minako and Junpei defended while Akihiko gave one last Zio, taking out the Shadow!
“That was amazing!”
Minako felt excellent after that fight as did Jack Frost. Junpei and Akihiko and Fuuka also seemed much more powerful after that fight.
“Are there more of them?” Fuuka asked.
“Don't worry, it's over.” Akihiko said.
“Fuuka...you...” Natsuki approached her.
“A-are you alright?”
“Yeah...”
“Thank goodness.” And then Fuuka fell unconscious.
“Fuuka!?”
“It's alright. She's just exhausted.” Mitsuru said.
“Fuuka...Fuuka I...”
Akihiko asked Mitsuru about the Shadows and she informed that they came outside of Tartarus. Yukari then asked about Natsuki, since she saw the Dark Hour and the Shadows.
“Don't worry. She's not like us so she won't remember any of it.” Akihiko explained.
Thank you!
“The good news is, she didn't fall victim to the Shadows, even when she obviously heard their call. She should be safe from now on.”
“But that means she'll forget Fuuka saved her life right?” Yukari pointed out. “That doesn't seem fair.”
“Actually, I don't think it'll matter.” Mitsuru said, looking at the distraught Natsuki, “I think she's learned her lesson.”
Yeah...Well it looks like Pharos' warnings are more important than they seem. And here I was going to write them off as dreams but...agh. I am sleepy. Bed. BED.
Academics: Average
Charm: Ingenue
Courage: Determined
Personae
Jack Frost – Magician – Level 13
Nigi Mitama – Temperence – Level 13
Zouchouten – Chariot – Level 16
Omoikane – Hierophant – Level 9
Valkyrie - Strenght – Level 12
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